In a heartwarming incident at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, former India captain Virat Kohli captured the love and admiration of a family of cricket fans by graciously accepting and wearing an adorable bracelet crafted by a young child.
The touching moment, captured in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday, July 30, left the child’s father teary-eyed, witnessing Kohli’s down-to-earth nature.
As the family expressed their love for cricket, Kohli signed a few posters and posed for pictures, making the experience all the more special for the fans. Joining in on the interactions, skipper Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav also took the time to engage with some of their devoted supporters.
Recalling the magical encounter, the young child shared,
“I was screaming ‘Kohli,’ he came over and I gave him my bracelet that I made with my hands.”
The father, clearly moved by the gesture, expressed his gratitude, saying,
“It’s a family reunion. We love cricket, we are a family of cricket and we thought this is the best time to be here and see the game. It was really kind of him to come over here because my daughter did really make him a bracelet, and he was really nice. It brings tears to my eyes that he was so down to earth, coming over here and wearing the bracelet in front of us and taking pictures.”
VIDEO: When Virat accepted bracelet from young fan
The Indian cricket team is currently competing in a three-match away ODI series against West Indies. The second match held at the Kensington Oval saw the hosts level the series with a six-wicket victory on Sunday, after India secured a five-wicket win in the first ODI.
Unfortunately, India’s loss in the second ODI was attributed to poor batting. Despite an unbeaten 90-run opening partnership, the team collapsed to a mere 91 runs. The absence of both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, rested to provide opportunities to bench players, was felt on the field. The replacements, Sanju Samson (9 off 19) and Axar Patel (1 off 8), failed to make an impact with the bat.
With the series now heading to its final match, scheduled at the Brian Lara Stadium on Tuesday, August 1, fans eagerly await the return of the two senior pros. Their presence is expected to bolster the team’s performance and bring back the winning momentum for India.
In moments like these, Virat Kohli’s genuine connection with his fans and his humility shine through, making him not only a remarkable cricketer but also a true inspiration to many.
His willingness to embrace the heartfelt gesture of a young fan reflects the essence of cricket as a sport that unites people and transcends borders, bringing joy and happiness to millions around the world.